ORCID Profile
0000-0003-0599-2355
Current Organisation
Deakin University
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2023
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-12-2022
DOI: 10.1111/COBI.14038
Abstract: Larval dispersal connectivity is typically integrated into spatial conservation decisions at regional or national scales, but implementing agencies struggle with translating these methods to local scales. We used larval dispersal connectivity at regional (hundreds of kilometers) and local (tens of kilometers) scales to aid in design of networks of no‐take reserves in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. We used Marxan with Connectivity informed by biophysical larval dispersal models and remotely sensed coral reef habitat data to design marine reserve networks for 4 commercially important reef species across the region. We complemented regional spatial prioritization with decision trees that combined network‐based connectivity metrics and habitat quality to design reserve boundaries locally. Decision trees were used in consensus‐based workshops with stakeholders to qualitatively assess site desirability, and Marxan was used to identify areas for subsequent network expansion. Priority areas for protection and expected benefits differed among species, with little overlap in reserve network solutions. Because reef quality varied considerably across reefs, we suggest reef degradation must inform the interpretation of larval dispersal patterns and the conservation benefits achievable from protecting reefs. Our methods can be readily applied by conservation practitioners, in this region and elsewhere, to integrate connectivity data across multiple spatial scales.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2023
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-11-2018
DOI: 10.1002/EAP.1824
Abstract: The need to proactively manage landscapes and species to aid their adaptation to climate change is widely acknowledged. Current approaches to prioritizing investment in species conservation generally rely on correlative models, which predict the likely fate of species under different climate change scenarios. Yet, while model statistics can be improved by refining modeling techniques, gaps remain in understanding the relationship between model performance and ecological reality. To investigate this, we compared standard correlative species distribution models to highly accurate, fine-scale, distribution models. We critically assessed the ecological realism of each species' model, using expert knowledge of the geography and habitat in the study area and the biology of the study species. Using interactive software and an iterative vetting with experts, we identified seven general principles that explain why the distribution modeling under- or overestimated habitat suitability, under both current and predicted future climates. Importantly, we found that, while temperature estimates can be dramatically improved through better climate downscaling, many models still inaccurately reflected moisture availability. Furthermore, the correlative models did not account for biotic factors, such as disease or competitor species, and were unable to account for the likely presence of micro refugia. Under-performing current models resulted in widely ergent future projections of species' distributions. Expert vetting identified regions that were likely to contain micro refugia, even where the fine-scale future projections of species distributions predicted population losses. Based on the results, we identify four priority conservation actions required for more effective climate change adaptation responses. This approach to improving the ecological realism of correlative models to understand climate change impacts on species can be applied broadly to improve the evidence base underpinning management responses.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 27-11-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVPOL.2019.06.031
Abstract: Plastic pollution in the marine environment is a pervasive and increasing threat to global bio ersity. Prioritising management actions that target marine plastic pollution require spatial information on the dispersal and settlement of plastics from both local and external sources. However, there is a mismatch between the scale of most plastic dispersal studies (regional, national and global) and the scale relevant to management action (local). We use a fine-resolution hydrodynamic model to predict the potential exposure of coastal habitats and species (mangroves, coral reefs and marine turtles) to plastic pollution at the local scale of a management region (the 1,700 km
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2022
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 03-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-11-2022
DOI: 10.1111/DDI.13654
Abstract: Kelp forests throughout temperate regions of the world serve as foundation species that play a critical role in sustaining the health and function of marine ecosystems but are experiencing declines in abundance due to a loss in resilience as the ocean climate changes. Ocean warming along southeast Australia has already been linked to dramatic losses of kelp species and is contributing to the range expansion and population increases of two species of sea urchin. This research attempts to understand the impact of multiple stressors on the decline in kelps in this region. Coastal Waters of Victoria, Southeast Australia. In this study, we use long‐term ( years) datasets on biological observations across Victorian waters to determine trends in coverage and the impact of multiple environmental variables (oceanography, habitat, and urchin abundances) on two important kelps that serve as foundation species ( Phyllospora comosa and Ecklonia radiata) using boosted regression trees. These models were then used to develop predictive distribution models for each species and also to project abundance distributions into the future. We found that both kelp species are decreasing in percent coverage over time with multiple environmental variables contributing to these declines, including increasing temperatures, intensifying wave energy, changes in currents and recruitment patterns, and increases in urchin populations. Additionally, future projections of temperature, wave energy, and urchin populations show that both species will continue to decrease across 62%–94% of their range by 2090. Long‐term biological datasets allowed us to develop maps of the past, current, and future distributions of these important foundation species, providing valuable information to managers for prioritization of areas for targeted urchin management and restoration of kelps. Understanding the environmental factors affecting their distribution helps guide manager restoration investments in regions where kelp populations are most likely to persist in the future.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 02-08-2021
DOI: 10.3389/FMARS.2021.699521
Abstract: The ingestion of plastic by marine turtles is now reported for all species. Small juvenile turtles (including post-hatchling and oceanic juveniles) are thought to be most at risk, due to feeding preferences and overlap with areas of high plastic abundance. Their remote and dispersed life stage, however, results in limited access and assessments. Here, stranded and bycaught specimens from Queensland Australia, Pacific Ocean (PO n = 65 1993–2019) and Western Australia, Indian Ocean (IO n = 56 2015–2019) provide a unique opportunity to assess the extent of plastic (& 1mm) ingestion in five species [green ( Chelonia mydas ), loggerhead ( Caretta caretta ), hawksbill ( Eretmochelys imbricata ), olive ridley ( Lepidochelys olivacea ), and flatback turtles ( Natator depressus )]. In the Pacific Ocean, high incidence of ingestion occurred in green (83% n = 36), loggerhead (86% n = 7), flatback (80% n = 10) and olive ridley turtles (29% n = 7). There was an overall lower incidence in IO highest being in the flatback (28% n = 18), the loggerhead (21% n = 14) and green (9% n = 22). No macroplastic debris ingestion was documented for hawksbill turtles in either site although s le sizes were smaller for this species (PO n = 5 IO n = 2). In the Pacific Ocean, the majority of ingested debris was made up of hard fragments (mean of all species 52% species averages 46–97%), whereas for the Indian Ocean these were filamentous plastics (52% 43–77%). The most abundant colour for both sites across all species was clear (PO: 36% IO: 39%), followed by white for PO (36%) then green and blue for IO (16% 16%). The polymers most commonly ingested by turtles in both oceans were polyethylene (PE PO-58% IO-39%) and polypropylene (PP PO-20.2% IO-23.5%). We frame the high occurrence of ingested plastic present in this marine turtle life stage as a potential evolutionary trap as they undertake their development in what are now some of the most polluted areas of the global oceans.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-11-2022
DOI: 10.1111/COBI.14008
Abstract: Larval dispersal is an important component of marine reserve networks. Two conceptually different approaches to incorporate dispersal connectivity into spatial planning of these networks exist, and it is an open question as to when either is most appropriate. Candidate reserve sites can be selected in idually based on local properties of connectivity or on a spatial dependency‐based approach of selecting clusters of strongly connected habitat patches. The first acts on in idual sites, whereas the second acts on linked pairs of sites. We used a combination of larval dispersal simulations representing different seascapes and case studies of biophysical larval dispersal models in the Coral Triangle region and the province of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, to compare the performance of these 2 methods in the spatial planning software Marxan. We explored the reserve design performance implications of different dispersal distances and patterns based on the equilibrium settlement of larvae in protected and unprotected areas. We further assessed different assumptions about metapopulation contributions from unprotected areas, including the case of 100% depletion and more moderate scenarios. The spatial dependency method was suitable when dispersal was limited, a high proportion of the area of interest was substantially degraded, or the target amount of habitat protected was low. Conversely, when subpopulations were well connected, the 100% depletion was relaxed, or more habitat was protected, protecting in idual sites with high scores in metrics of connectivity was a better strategy. Spatial dependency methods generally produced more spatially clustered solutions with more benefits inside than outside reserves compared with site‐based methods. Therefore, spatial dependency methods potentially provide better results for ecological persistence objectives over enhancing fisheries objectives, and vice versa. Different spatial prioritization methods of using connectivity are appropriate for different contexts, depending on dispersal characteristics, unprotected area contributions, habitat protection targets, and specific management objectives. Comparación entre los métodos de priorización de la conservación espacial con sitio y la conectividad espacial basada en la dependencia
Publisher: The Royal Society
Date: 05-2017
DOI: 10.1098/RSOS.170164
Abstract: The ability of in iduals to actively control their movements, especially during the early life stages, can significantly influence the distribution of their population. Most marine turtle species develop oceanic foraging habitats during different life stages. However, flatback turtles ( Natator depressus ) are endemic to Australia and are the only marine turtle species with an exclusive neritic development. To explain the lack of oceanic dispersal of this species, we predicted the dispersal of post-hatchlings in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia, using oceanographic advection-dispersal models. We included directional swimming in our models and calibrated them against the observed distribution of post-hatchling and adult turtles. We simulated the dispersal of green and loggerhead turtles since they also breed in the same region. Our study suggests that the neritic distribution of flatback post-hatchlings is favoured by the inshore distribution of nesting beaches, the local water circulation and directional swimming during their early dispersal. This combination of factors is important because, under the conditions tested, if flatback post-hatchlings were entirely passively transported, they would be advected into oceanic habitats after 40 days. Our results reinforce the importance of oceanography and directional swimming in the early life stages and their influence on the distribution of a marine turtle species.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2019.04.070
Abstract: Land-based sources contribute approximately 80% of anthropogenic debris in marine environments. A main pathway is believed to be rivers and storm-water systems, yet this input is rarely quantified. We aimed to quantify the abundance of land-based debris entering a river system through storm drains in an urban area of tropical Australia. To account for seasonal variability, debris was quantified pre, post and during the wet season from 2014 to 2017. Plastic items within the river were compared to those in adjacent parks to assess similarities in debris composition. A total of 27,943 items were collected (92% plastic). Debris loads in the post-wet seasons were significantly higher than the wet-season. Furthermore, variability in the portion of debris found in nearby parks compared to the river suggests that factors other than rainfall, play a role in debris abundance. These results can be used to identify targeted management strategies to reduce debris loads.
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland
Date: 2023
No related grants have been discovered for Kay Critchell.